Rosie O'Donnell Launches First Monologue on Kimmel Live, Takes Aim at Trump

Rosie O'Donnell stepped into Jimmy Kimmel's shoes for the first time, opening her segment with a sharp jab at President Donald Trump, whom she said despised the show when Kimmel was host. She described fleeing the United States after the 2024 election, moving to Ireland to avoid what she called Project 2025, and joked that the country’s residents are inclined to drink regardless of political leadership. O'Donnell recounted her child's apology to classmates about being forced to relocate because of the president's animosity toward her mother.

She concluded by looking straight into the camera, greeting Trump as if he were watching. The arrangement was revealed by Kimmel in his season finale, branding it a "special treat for our commander-in-chief." O'Donnell added that Trump regularly insults her on his Truth Social platform and shares AI-generated videos mocking her.